Authorities said a 35-year-old Plainfield man who was found with 16 ounces of heroin has pleaded guilty in Superior Court in Elizabeth.The Star-Ledger

ELIZABETH — A Plainfield man faces up to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to drug and weapons charges that authorities say stemmed from a distribution operation he ran in parts of Union and Middlesex counties.

Rafiq Grundy, 35, pleaded guilty Friday before Superior Court Judge Joseph Donohue to charges of first-degree possession of heroin with intent to distribute and second-degree possession of a firearm during the course of committing a drug offense, acting Middlesex County Prosecutor Grace Park said.

She said Investigator Jason Mader, of the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, first became aware of a drug operation in that county earlier this year and conducted a three-week investigation, leading him to Grundy.

Union County Assistant Prosecutor Jeremiah Lenihan said Mader discovered the suspect was also operating in Union County.

Lenihan said Union County investigators arrested Grundy on Feb. 24, and searched of his car and residence, seizing 16 ounces of heroin, along with drug paraphernalia and a .357 handgun and a .22 caliber handgun, both loaded.

In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors will recommend Grundy be sentenced to 11 years in prison, and that he serve at least half that term before being eligible for parole, authorities said.